Episode Details

With petrol prices spiking to record highs, hitting $3.52 a litre, switching to an electric or hybrid car can look like the ultimate way to wipe out a massive daily living cost. But is it actually the right financial move for your lifestyle, or could hidden ownership costs end up costing you more?

Financial journalist Frances Cook breaks down the real numbers on petrol, hybrid, and fully electric cars.

From real-world running costs and road user charges to battery lifespan facts and a brutal warning on vehicle depreciation, Frances shares the exact maths you need to know before making a move.

In this episode:

• The real cost to charge an EV: running the numbers on off-peak power vs $3/litre petrol
• Factoring in NZ Road User Charges: what EV driving actually costs per 450km
• The hybrid trap
• EV insurance and servicing costs: the trade-off between higher premiums and lower maintenance
• Will the battery die and bankrupt you? Real-world data on EV battery degradation and warranties
• The depreciation rule: why buying a 2–3 year old EV saves you tens of thousands
• How green loans work: using 0% to 1% interest bank financing without touching high-interest car loans
• Frances’s golden rule: why the cheapest car is almost always the one already in your driveway

Whether you are feeling squeezed at the pump or weighing up your next vehicle purchase, this episode breaks down the practical numbers to help you make the right call on your own terms.

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Production and video editing by Lana Byrne

Audio engineering by Tash Chittock

Filmed by Fanaticals